WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU SEE A CASE STUDY?

As interesting as this topic is, I must quickly mention that from my ongoing experience in the school, I am coming to terms that having a tool is incomplete without knowing how to use the tool. Are you wondering why I said that? As much as I will be introducing us to the steps to take in analyzing a case study as I have been taught, the interesting position to note is that I still struggle with its application. When I read through the steps, I always feel like I can move any mountain (case study), but when I am given a case to analyze, I see that mountain grow some legs to move me (Did I just perceive a smile from my reader hahaha?). This is because you need a good knowledge of accounting in order to understand the numbers (financials) and analyze the case objectively. Beyond identifying the problem in the case, you need a proper analysis of the figures presented, exhibits/charts given, and any other support information provided.

Being chartered human resource personnel with a background in Sociology and French, I must say that I need the support of my colleagues who are grounded in accounts to bring me to speed for the “almighty ABP – Analysis of Business Problems course”. Let us quickly run through the steps in analyzing a case study.

STEPS IN ANALYSING A BUSINESS PROBLEM

1. Understand the context of the situation
2. Identify the problem
3. Ascertain the objective
4. Identify the alternatives
5. Determine the decision criteria
6. Analyze each alternative in line with the decision criteria
7. Make recommendations
8. Take a decision
9. Create an action
10. Review the decision.

let us see a few nuggets to further help us understand the above-listed steps. In order to identify a problem in the case study, the 5wives and one husband will be of good help. By this I mean what, who, why, where, when and How. These help you to be able to work through the scope of the case study and help to understand the context of the situation. What comes to mind at the spore may not necessarily be the problem, they are most times the symptoms not the problem. For instance, if a child is hungry, being hungry may be seen as the problem but it is not, not eating is the problem that led to the child being hungry in other words not having food to eat is the problem that caused the child to be hungry. So being hungry is only a symptom.

The objective of a case is simply directed toward what success looks like. It could be seen as the goal of the organization which could either be long term or short-term. Identifying the alternatives is to explore the options available to achieve the objective/goal that is ascertained. The decision criteria is on the basis of the condition for going with a certain alternative while the recommendation is deduced from the analysis of data available in order to make an informed decision.

I hope I am able to keep it simple to the best of my understanding. Still learning and also open to more understanding of the course the almighty ABP(smiles).

Motunrayo Awomolo

(M.A.)

As interesting as this topic is, I must quickly mention that from my ongoing experience in the school, I am coming to terms that having a tool is incomplete without knowing how to use the tool. Are you wondering why I said that? As much as I will be introducing us to the steps to take in analyzing a case study as I have been taught, the interesting position to note is that I still struggle with its application. When I read through the steps, I always feel like I can move any mountain (case study), but when I am given a case to analyze, I see that mountain grow some legs to move me (Did I just perceive a smile from my reader hahaha?). This is because you need a good knowledge of accounting in order to understand the numbers (financials) and analyze the case objectively. Beyond identifying the problem in the case, you need a proper analysis of the figures presented, exhibits/charts given, and any other support information provided.

Being chartered human resource personnel with a background in Sociology and French, I must say that I need the support of my colleagues who are grounded in accounts to bring me to speed for the “almighty ABP – Analysis of Business Problems course”. Let us quickly run through the steps in analyzing a case study.

STEPS IN ANALYSING A BUSINESS PROBLEM

1. Understand the context of the situation
2. Identify the problem
3. Ascertain the objective
4. Identify the alternatives
5. Determine the decision criteria
6. Analyze each alternative in line with the decision criteria
7. Make recommendations
8. Take a decision
9. Create an action
10. Review the decision.

let us see a few nuggets to further help us understand the above-listed steps. In order to identify a problem in the case study, the 5wives and one husband will be of good help. By this I mean what, who, why, where, when and How. These help you to be able to work through the scope of the case study and help to understand the context of the situation. What comes to mind at the spore may not necessarily be the problem, they are most times the symptoms not the problem. For instance, if a child is hungry, being hungry may be seen as the problem but it is not, not eating is the problem that led to the child being hungry in other words not having food to eat is the problem that caused the child to be hungry. So being hungry is only a symptom.

The objective of a case is simply directed toward what success looks like. It could be seen as the goal of the organization which could either be long term or short-term. Identifying the alternatives is to explore the options available to achieve the objective/goal that is ascertained. The decision criteria is on the basis of the condition for going with a certain alternative while the recommendation is deduced from the analysis of data available in order to make an informed decision.

I hope I am able to keep it simple to the best of my understanding. Still learning and also open to more understanding of the course the almighty ABP(smiles).

Motunrayo Awomolo

(M.A.)